1/10
These animals were larger than life
The Earth has been home to many amazing creatures, some of which were so huge that they would dwarf the largest animals alive today. From giant dinosaurs to colossal whales, these are eight of the largest animals that ever lived.
Image: iStock
2/10
Blue whale
The blue whale is not only the largest animal alive today, but also the largest animal that ever existed. It can reach up to 33.6 meters (110 feet) in length and weigh up to 190 tonnes (210 short tons). It has a heart the size of a car and a tongue that weighs as much as an elephant. It feeds mainly on krill, tiny crustaceans that it filters from the water with its baleen plates. It can consume up to 40 million krill per day, equivalent to 1.5% of its body weight.
Image: Canva
3/10
Argentinosaurus
Argentinosaurus, a colossal sauropod dinosaur, roamed the ancient landscapes of Argentina some 95 million years ago. With an estimated length of up to 40 meters and a weight of around 110 tonnes, it stands unparalleled as the largest terrestrial creature to have ever existed. Sporting an elongated neck and tail, a diminutive head, and robust pillar-like legs, this herbivorous giant grazed on vegetation with its peg-like teeth. It's conceivable that these majestic beasts congregated in herds, perhaps seeking safety in numbers from potential predators.
Image: iStock
4/10
Megalodon
In the ancient depths of our oceans, Megalodon reigned as an awe-inspiring leviathan from 23 to 3.6 million years ago. Stretching up to an impressive 18 meters in length and weighing a colossal 60 tonnes, this legendary predator held sway as the largest known carnivorous fish to ever roam the seas. Armed with a formidable jaw boasting serrated teeth, some measuring a formidable 18 centimeters, it patrolled the waters in pursuit of formidable prey like whales, seals, and dolphins. However, despite its unmatched prowess, Megalodon ultimately met its demise, succumbing to the pressures of shifting climates, fierce competition, and the dwindling of its once abundant marine hunting grounds.
Image: iStock
5/10
Spinosaurus
Spinosaurus, a magnificent theropod inhabiting ancient North Africa some 112 to 93 million years ago, commanded attention with its colossal dimensions. Stretching up to 15 meters (49 feet) in length and tipping the scales at approximately 20 tonnes (22 short tons), it claimed the title of the largest known carnivorous dinosaur. Its distinguishing feature, a sail-like structure adorning its back, likely served multifaceted purposes such as thermoregulation, display, or communication. As a semi-aquatic predator, Spinosaurus navigated waterways and marshes, armed with a lengthy snout equipped with conical teeth, reminiscent of a crocodilian, and wielded a powerful tail to ensnare aquatic prey.
Image: iStock
6/10
Shastasaurus
Shastasaurus was a gigantic marine reptile that belonged to the group of ichthyosaurs. It lived in the Triassic period, about 200 million years ago. It is estimated to have reached up to 21 meters (69 feet) in length and weigh up to 75 tonnes (83 short tons), making it the largest marine reptile ever. It had a slender body, a short snout, and a large dorsal fin. It was a suction feeder that fed on soft-bodied prey such as squid and fish. It had a reduced dentition and a flexible jaw that allowed it to create a vacuum and suck in its food. Shastasaurus may include a second species, Shastasaurus liangae. It is known from several good specimens, and was originally placed in the separate genus Guanlingsaurus. As per studies, it is said that it had an unusual short and toothless snout.
Image: Getty Images
7/10
Amphicoelias
Amphicoelias, a sauropod from ancient North America, once reigned as a titan of the land some 150 million years ago. With estimates hinting at a remarkable length of up to 58 meters (190 feet) and a weight exceeding 122 tonnes (134 short tons), it stands among the largest known dinosaurs. Yet, uncertainty shrouds its existence, its story drawn from scant fossil remnants—a testament to the mysteries that still echo from the depths of prehistory.
Image: Reddit
8/10
Quetzalcoatlus
Quetzalcoatlus was a gigantic flying reptile that belonged to the group of pterosaurs. It lived in North America about 68 to 65 million years ago. It is estimated to have reached up to 10.5 meters (34 feet) in wingspan and weigh up to 250 kilograms (550 pounds), making it the largest flying animal ever. It had a long neck, a toothless beak, and a crest on its head. It was a carnivore that fed on small animals on the ground or in the water. It could fly at speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour (80 miles per hour).
Image: University of California
9/10
Leedsichthys
In the ancient waters of the Jurassic era, Leedsichthys emerged as a titan among fish, dwarfing its contemporaries with its colossal frame. Estimated at up to 16.5 meters (54 feet) in length and weighing around 45 tonnes (50 short tons), it reigns as the largest bony fish known to science. With a wide mouth designed for filtering plankton and a streamlined body propelled by a forked tail, it navigated the depths as a gentle giant, its immense size serving as its shield in the primordial seas.
Image: iStock
10/10
Why did animals get smaller over time?
Over time, many creatures on Earth have become smaller due to a combination of ecological factors. One key factor is the intensity of direct competition for resources between species. In environments where competition is fierce, smaller sizes can be advantageous as they require fewer resources and can exploit a wider range of habitats. Additionally, the risk of extinction from environmental changes can influence size. Smaller animals often have faster reproductive rates, which can be beneficial in changing conditions. For example, during the Ice Age, smaller horses in Alaska adapted to the changing climate and vegetation by shrinking in size to better suit their environment. These evolutionary pressures have led to a general trend of decreasing size in certain lineages over time.
Image: Canva
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
